AN: hey y'all, sorry for taking so long to pump out another chapter! this one is somewhat long (to me at least), so hopefully you guys will enjoy Lore's character development. it's slow going, and he's got far to go, but he's improving and that's what's important!

disclaimer that i feel i should include from here on out: i have only seen a few TNG episodes, so i can't claim to know everything about the canon and ship and whatnot, i just liked Data and Lore and i had an idea for a redemption for Lore. consider this going incredibly off canon from here on out (including previous chapters where this disclaimer was not placed) and becoming it's own story!

this chapter is dedicated to the two incredibly amazing reviewers, Errol and mikelokison, for their long and well thought out reviews! you guys warmed my heart so much with your reviews and i will admit i did read them multiple times throughout the writing of this chapter, to keep myself going! thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, you mean the world to me (((:

onto this chapter! enjoy!

The walk down to Engineering was mostly silent, only interrupted by Data responding to greetings from the shipmates they passed. He only started talking when the doors had whisked shut behind them as they stepped into the Engineering Domain.

Lore could see Commander La Forge hunched over a pile of machine parts, tinkering with a gear here and a wire there. He was so focused on whatever he was doing that he didn't hear the two androids enter. Or when Data scuffed his feet. He did, however, look up when a horrible sound came from Data's throat.

Geordi whipped his head up in alarm.

"Oh my word, Data, what was that? Are you okay?" he let out in a rush, scurrying from behind his work space.

Data furrowed his brow, as Geordi began flitting around like a mother worried about her sick womb parasit- uh, child.

"Oh, I am fine Geordi, I was merely trying to alert you to my presence by clearing my throat, as humans do." his brows furrowed even further and he looked anxious, "Did I do it wrong?"

After ensuring everything was in fact, fine with his best friend, Geordi adjusted his uniform uncomfortably.

"Uh, yeah," he coughed a bit, "it was… an- admirable effort." He awkwardly patted Data on the shoulder, and mustered a champion grin.

Lore chuckled sardonically at the painful interaction, which seemed to make Geordi realize there was another android in the room. He turned his VISOR towards Lore and his smile dropped several octaves.

"Lore," he voiced politely, the way a butler would greet an unwanted guest at his employer's home.

Lore may be trying to "turn over a new leaf" as Counselor Troi put it, but he couldn't pass up the chance for a little fun.

He put on his most murderous smirk and stared directly at the engineering commander.

"Hello, Commander La Forge," he purred, a lion sizing up its prey.

Geordi gulped almost imperceptibly, he knew what Lore was capable of, and he wasn't going to risk assuming he was safe to be around, no matter what.

Data seemed to pick up on the tension, and stepped between his brother and his best friend.

"Brother," he admonished pleasantly, "please be civil."

Lore sighed and he allowed his intimidating stance to relax.

"Well. We're here." he said, gesturing vaguely to the room and reminding Data as to why they came here in the first place. "Ask whatever you want to ask."
Geordi interrupted before Data could say anything, peering from behind the android's shoulder, "Um, I sense this is going to be a hefty… chat, so would you two like to sit down?" He waved his hand at a few chairs around a table.

Lore strode over to them without a word or even a nod.

The two brothers had sat down, but Geordi remained standing.

"Uh, should I just leave you to it?" he asked nervously.

Data shook his head.

"No, I want you to stay," he said, and patted the seat next to him, a very human gesture.

Lore snorted and rolled his eyes. Typical of Data to bring someone to hide behind, if it came to it.

Only when Geordi was settled did Data begin to speak.

"Why have you been avoiding me?"

Lore groaned, trying to stall more than anything. He was starting to really hate these serious talks; they made him feel things. Disgusting.

"Well, it could be due to the fact that I don't want to see you," Lore said sarcastically, deciding that he would say the absolute bare minimum, if he could.

Data was, unfortunately, unsatisfied with this answer.

"I had assumed that our relationship was on the mend," he said, glancing at Geordi to be sure that he had used the right phrase. Geordi nodded and patted his friend's knee encouragingly.

Lore was starting to feel incredibly uncomfortable with all of this sappiness. His face twitched, seeming to sense his discomfort.

"Just because we've had a big epiphany about our relationship and father doesn't mean I'm going to suddenly run into your arms and act like nothing ever happened," he answered with a sneer. He crossed his arms defensively. If this were a session with Troi, she'd probably point it out, and write in her stupid little notebook she'd been keeping, just for Lore.

Geordi cleared his throat, drawing both android's attention to him. He shifted nervously.

"I don't mean to intervene, but…" he trailed off, balking at the piercing yellow gazes leveled at him.

"Well you have, so just get out with it," Lore snapped. This conversation is so annoying..

"Um," the engineer turned his head to Data, seeking comfort himself this time. Data blinked and nodded his head. Geordi turned back to Lore and steeled himself.

"I think that since you and Data have already gotten through the hardest part of fixing your relationship, the rest should be easier?" he said. "I'm no expert but… yeah."

Lore considered what Geordi said. He'd been doing a lot of considering other people lately. It was disconcerting.

Data spoke before Lore got the chance to.

"I do not expect us to be brothers right away," he began, looking uncertain, "but I would like to try being friends, if you will allow it."

Hm. That didn't require Lore to really go out of his way to avoid Data, nor be abundantly kind to him. He really could just be himself, and if Data didn't like it, all the better. He wouldn't regret the loss of his brother all that much; he had Worf and Guinan and now Counselor Troi.

"Fine," he said after a millisecond of thought, "Let's try being friends."

Data's face split into a smile.